The contrast between Hunter Ruth’s junior season of wrestling and his senior campaign is stark. After posting a winning record and surprising many by qualifying for the Class 2A State tournament as a sophomore, he was 13-14 as a junior and did not get out of the Sectional tournament.

Ruth told Raccoon Valley Radio that he used his junior campaign as motivation for his senior season, which has seen the underweight 220 lbs. wrestler usually weigh in between 208 and 210 lbs. He’s put together a 30-3 record including winning titles at his last three tournaments. Ruth is the Heart of Iowa Activities Conference, Humboldt Sectional, and Webster City District, champion.

He’ll face Central Clinton (De Witt) junior Nick Smith (37-7) in the opening round at State on Thursday night at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Every wrestler is guaranteed at least two matches, and Ruth hopes to exceed the 0-2 record he had at State two years ago. There are 16 wrestlers in each weight class and the top eight are place winners.

All three Raccoon Valley Radio stations and www.raccoonvalleyradio.com will carry play-by-play of 26 area qualifiers during the Feb. 16-18 State Tourney at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.